Kathy

Posted on July 14, 2019July 14, 2019 by Kathy

Travel: The Best Places to Visit in Paris

As a woman who didn’t leave the United States/Canada until the age of twenty, visiting Paris felt like touching ground on a different planet. The artist, and art lover, inside of me was in heaven. Here are some of the best places to visit in Paris.

Travel blog Paris. Exploring Paris. Gathering of Lines. Top places to visit in Paris.

From the gold statues on the Paris Opera House, to the gardens of the Tuileries, to the seemingly endless works at the Louvre, Paris is a testament to what human minds and human hands can create.

The Best Places to Visit in Paris

Trocadéro

The image of the Eiffel Tower at night (above) was taken at Trocadéro. This place offers unobstructed views and there is a great café called Café Kléber (link here) where you can have a delicious meal while you take in the scenery.

Onion soup at cafe kleber in Paris. Dining in Paris. — Onion soup at Café Kléber.

Paris Opera House (Opéra National de Paris)

Opéra National de Paris or Paris Opera House -Gathering of Lines Travel. — Detail of the Paris Opera House (*Opéra National de Paris*)

We did not see an Opera here (definitely a goal for the next time we visit!) but the architecture is so spectacular that it’s worth a visit. (Photo above)

The Louvre and Tuileries Gardens

Paris travel guide - the louvre. Best places to visit in Paris. — The Louvre – Paris

Detail of the Louvre - Gathering of lines travel guide — Detail of the exterior of the Louvre

The Louvre is home to many priceless works of art (Including the Mona Lisa and the Victory of Samothrace). Link to museum website is here. Here is an article that details some top works to see during your visit (link here).

Before or after your visit to the Louvre, it’s worth it to stop at the Tuileries Gardens. The gardens are located adjacent to the Louvre and are a great place to soak up Paris.

The Arc de Triomphe

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Sacré-Cœur Basilica is one of the best places to visit in Paris because it yields three beautiful sites. First, the Basilica itself is incredible and also free most days (website located here for more information). Second, it is also located in Montmartre, the highest point in Paris with beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower and the entire city. Montmartre has been home to many famous artists including Picasso, Monet, Renoir, and Degas. This article details some of Montmarte’s former residents (link here). It was truly surreal to walk the streets where many famous artists had lived, worked, and found inspiration. Third, many artists live their today and sell their artwork which is a great souvenir to take home.

The Eiffel Tower

I mentioned Trocadéro as a great place for a meal and view of the Eiffel Tower but visiting the Eiffel Tower, and taking the elevator to the top, is a necessary part of any first-time trip to Paris. I recommend signing up for a day tour because tour groups get to skip the long line. When I was there, the line was a 3-hour wait for the elevator to the top, but since we were with a tour, we got straight in with no wait. The tour we took included both a ticket to the top of the Eiffel Tower and a cruise along the Seine where you get an unparalleled view of Notre Dame Cathedral. They also picked us up from our hotel which was convenient. We used city discovery (link to the skip the line tour and Seine river cruise is here).

Place de la Madeleine Square

This square is gorgeous and a great place to pick up gifts and souvenirs that are of the non-touristy variety. Shops include Nicolas for fine wines and champagnes, Hediard, and the famous Fauchon delicatessen (perfect for legendary macarons). Link to Fauchon is here.

Other places to visit

If you’ve got time, Monet’s Garden in Giverny is worth the trip. It’s not far from Paris and there are tours that pick you up at your hotel and bring you back. Any art lover will love the experience of being in the garden where Monet painted his famous works.
Château de Versailles
Champs-Élysées
Musée d’Orsay
The Paris Catacombs

One last restaurant recommendation

Bistrot Paul Bert is an authentic bistro experience that we greatly enjoyed on our last trip. We got the steak au poivre (photo above) and it was delicious. Link to an article about the restaurant is here. Note- their hours change sometimes.

A note about getting around Paris

One negative experience we had was with a cab driver who seemed to take us for a ride to get extra cash (as it was evident that we were tourists). For the most part, we utilized the Paris Metro to get around. It was inexpensive and easy to navigate. This website has great information about getting around by subway – link here.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines Home Design. I hope you enjoyed this travel journal about the best places to visit in Paris! Check out my last travel piece about Washington, D.C. (Link here).

Posted on July 5, 2019July 5, 2019 by Kathy

How to use Wallpaper

Beautiful wallpaper options and how to use them in your home

*This site contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase items or services through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help reduce the costs of running this site. So Thank You in advance for any clicks through!

Wallpaper is back. If nightmares from the 1990s, and the apple border around your kitchen, have you running for the hills, I hear you. I was skeptical too. Check out some ideas for how to use wallpaper in this 21st century.

Though I’m not a fan of wallpapering an entire room, here are 3 options for adding wallpaper to any room.

1.) Add wallpaper to just an accent wall.

How to use wallpaper, accent wall — Copyright (c) 2019 Elisabeth Fredriksson. Link to purchase is here.

Accent walls are great for statement paint, and also for wallpaper. It adds depth, dimension, and texture without a big pricetag. Adding to only one wall ensures that your eyes get a break.

2.) Line a bookshelf

This can be really fun and playful. Add wallpaper to the wood part behind the shelves. You’ll see the pattern peeking through behind the items on the shelves and it’ll add an inexpensive artistic style that is unique. Check out this cat icecream wallpaper. It’d be perfect on the bookshelf in a kids room or playroom.

How to use wallpaper, line back of a bookshelf — Copyright (c) 2019 ilovedoodle. Link to purchase is here.

3.) Add it to all the walls of a walk-in closet

This adds some glamour and fun but allows you to keep the rest of your bedroom serene and neutral. Check out this metallic option. Beautiful, sophisticated and a far cry from the 1990’s roses and apples.

how to use wallpaper, add to just the interior of a walk in closet — Copyright (c) 2019 VictoryS Link to purchase is here.

In addition to the 3 options above, here are 2 wallpaper options that we love:

serene choice for accent wall — Copyright (c) 2019 Mel Fischer. Link to purchase is here.

Gathering of lines home design wallpaper idea — Copyright (c) 2019 Emeline Tate. Link to purchase is here.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines Home Design. Interested in reading more? Check out my latest post about sophisticated beach artwork (link here).

Posted on June 29, 2019 by Kathy

Sophisticated Beach Artwork

Gathering of Lines home design beach artwork

Copyright (c) 2019 Andrews12 Link to purchase here.

The ocean makes for a serene visual in any room and it’s possible to incorporate some beach artwork without becoming too “beachy.”

Art is one of the most important elements in any room. The best artwork, to me, includes family photographs but I also like to include our favorite things/places in our home decor (and the home decor of my clients). The fun thing about art is that there are no rules. If you love the beach (like we do), take a look at some options we found for sophisticated beach artwork.

The best thing about the artwork featured here is that it supports artists across the globe. Each piece of artwork provides income directly to the artist who made it – pretty cool.

Copyright (c) 2019 Ingrid Beddoes photography. Link to purchase is here.

The towels, people, and umbrellas add such pretty elements of color in the above aerial photograph. Don’t you love artwork that sparks positive memories? The above definitely reminds me of fun vacation days with my husband and family.

Copyright (c) 2019 Orara Studio Link to purchase is here.

Copyright (c) 2019 Anita’s & Bella’s Art Link to purchase is here.

Gotta love these palm tree beauties. The lines in the above palm prints are visually interesting while the black and white adds sophistication. One idea would be to frame 2 or 3 in the same size frame. They would look great over a bed or couch.

Copyright (c) 2019 Chris Martin Art. Link to purchase is here.

The above is just sheer beauty. Love the range of blues and greens and it definitely portrays the peace of the ocean.

Copyright (c) 2019 Steppunni Link to purchase is here.

I feel like I’m there when I see the above work of art (isn’t that a great feeling?).

Copyright (c) 2019 Nautical Decor. Link to purchase is here.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines Home Design! I hope you enjoyed the above artwork. Do you have a favorite artist that we should check out? Are you an artist who would like to be featured on this blog? Send us a note or leave a comment below! We love checking out new art!

Posted on June 22, 2019 by Kathy

Travel: Washington, D.C.

Gathering of lines family travel ideas washington dc

gathering of lines family travel ideas — Lincoln Memorial

This is the perfect place for a family vacation with active young children. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do is to be stuck in a tiny hotel room with an active 2 year old on a rainy day trying to figure out what to do. D.C. is great because if it’s a nice day, you can explore the many outdoor monuments and memorials. If it’s rainy, you can visit the FREE Smithsonian museums (museum admission is free to many museums in D.C.).

washington monument family travel ideas — Washington Monument

The D.C. metro is easy to navigate and a wonderful way to explore the city with your family. We stayed at the Hyatt Place Arlington Courthouse (link here), and took the metro all over the city. It was a fast way to see a lot in a short amount of time.

Jefferson memorial family travel ideas — Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Because we had an active 2 year old on this trip, we didn’t focus too much on the food. (Though D.C. has many amazing restaurants). We had the free breakfast at our hotel and went for inexpensive and fast eating mainly subs, pizza, salads, etc at places where you order, get your food and sit down. (No waiting for a waitress). This helped our little one have more patience for other waiting situations during the trip (waiting for the metro, or waiting to get into a museum).

National Air and Space Museum family travel ideas — National Air and Space Museum

My son’s favorite place was the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (link here). After one of his naps, the first thing he said was, “Go see Neptune again.”

Lincoln Memorial, Washinton D.C. family travel ideas

National Archives Washington, D.C. — National Archives

One of my husband’s favorite parts of the trip was seeing the Constitution at the National Archives.

Gathering of Lines Travel Ideas National Gallery of Art

My favorite places were the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. (Both had free admission!).

What are your favorite places to visit with your family? What are your tips for making it a great trip? Let me know in the comments below!

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Kathy

Centerpieces for $3.99 from Trader Joes

Gathering of Lines Home Design Flower arrangement ideas

Hosting a wedding or baby shower, or just having the boss for dinner? Here are some easy centerpieces that are affordable yet beautiful and will add a special touch to any casual event.

I bought three bouquets from Trader Joe’s for $3.99 each (Total amount spent on all the flowers shown in this post is $12. but most arrangments can be made from a single $3.99 bouquet).

Here is what a single $3.99 arrangement looks like thrown in a vase.

Flower Arrangement 1

For this arrangement, I used stemless martini glasses that I already had. If you don’t have stemless martini glasses, Amazon sells them for $18 for a set of 4, link to purchase here. These are great to have as you can use them for 4 tables at an event and then bring them home and reuse them again and again.

Flower Arrangement 2

For this arrangement:

Rip the leaves off the hydrangea
Put a tea light inside of a water glass. Tea lights set of 30 for $6 (link here)
Put the water glass inside of a bigger vase. Use a bigger vase that you have already (Similiar vase can be found for here)
Position the leaves in the vase (outside of the water glass so the water glass is a barrier between the flame and the leaves)

This arrangement looks great next to a guestbook at an event! If you have a hydrangea bush in your yard and use vases you already have, this is practically free!

Flower Arrangement 3

This is another great way to use those hydrangea leaves. Add a little bit of water to the wine glass and a single flower. Set of 6 wine glasses can be found for $20 here. Another great place to look for glasses is the salvation army.

Flower Arrangement 5

For the above arrangement, I used 2 Trader Joe’s bouquets, 2 stemless martini glasses, an inexpensive vase, and candle. (links to the stemless martini glasses and the vase can be found above). I love that it’s a bigger arrangement but still easy to throw together. If you don’t want to buy martini glasses, that’s understandable. Just use what you have – water glasses, mason jars, etc.

Flower Arrangement 6

This entire arrangement was made from a single $3.99 bouquet from Trader Joe’s. I used a champagne glass, a shot glass, and a votive. Set of 6 champagne glasses for $30 can be found here. Set of 4 shot glasses for $10 can be found here. Set of 30 votives for $14 can be found here.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines Home Design! Got any creative ideas for a centerpiece? Let us know in the comments below!

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Kathy

Top 5 Etsy Stores for Baby Room Decor

When I was pregnant 5 years ago, I received a sentimental gift that blew away any option I’d seen at Babies”R”Us. She purchased it on Etsy and ever since, I have visited Etsy frequently for home decor purchases and gifts. Here’s my take on the top 5 Etsy stores for baby room decor.

Emmiebel Studio
www.emmiebelstudio.etsy.com

Emmiebel Studio etsy shop - Kid you will move mountains blanket. Baby room decor. — Kid you will move mountains baby blanket. Link to purchase can be found here.

Emmiebel Studio Etsy Shop Floral baby blanket. Baby room decor. — Floral blanket link can be found here.

Emmiebel Studio sells amazing handmade items for baby. The fabrics are creative, beautiful and make excellent gifts. Blankets can be personalized, are made of soft material, and make great backdrops as you take pictures of your baby. Not only do moms get a lot of use out of these blankets but they become keepsakes that they will treasure for many years to come.

Link to purchase the “Kid you will move mountains” baby blanket can be found here.

Link to purchase the Floral personalized baby blanket can be found here.

ChildwoodStudio
www.etsy.com/shop/ChildwoodStudio

Childwood Studio Etsy shop large animal blocks. Baby room decor — Large animal wooden block toy. Link to purchase can be found here.

Childwood Studio Etsy shop large colorful cube blocks. Baby room decor — Colorful Wooden Blocks make a great decoration and toy. Find the blocks at this link.

ChildwoodStudio creates wooden toys for children that are works of art. They are beautiful on a dresser or shelf in baby’s room and as baby grows he or she will have lots of fun playing with them as well.

Link to the purchase the large animal blocks can be found here.

Link to the purchase the cube-shaped blocks can be found here.

ButtonFaceCo
www.etsy.com/shop/ButtonFaceCo?ref=shop_sugg

Gathering of Lines baby room decor mobile

I received this mobile at my baby shower 5 years ago. It came in a kit with pre-cut fabric that I hand stitched. It goes with almost any baby room theme and is different than anything I could find in a store at the time. ButtonFaceCo no longer sells that specific kit but they do sell a pattern that you can download here.

If you’re not a DIY-er. I hear you. I get in and out of DIY stuff all the time. The Lovely Symphony Etsy shop sells something pre-made that looks similar (No cutting or sewing required):

Link to the Lovely Symphony shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LovelySymphony?ref=shop_sugg

Click here to see the fully made no-sew mobile at the Lovely Symphony shop.

Sweet Bananas Art
www.etsy.com/shop/SweetBananasArt?ref=shop_sugg

Sweet bananas art Etsy shop wooden sign. Baby room decor

Sweet Bananas Art sells lots of incredible wall art for any room in your house but check out these wood signs for children! They are full of imagination and fun.

Link to purchase the Forest Animals Nursery Name sign can be found here.

Cotton Banner
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CottonBanner

Cotton banner Etsy shop bunting banner. Baby room decor. — White & Purple Pennant Bunting Banner. Link to purchase can be found here.

I love bunting banners. They add texture and subtle colors. These are made from cotton and would be great to use for decoration at a baby shower. Bonus- mom-to-be can take it home and use it in the baby’s room. Decorations that have a great memory tied to them are the best. Mom can also use it for decoration at birthday parties too.

Find the bunting banner at this link.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines! What Etsy shops should we check out? We’d love to see your suggestions in the comments below!

Posted on June 8, 2019June 8, 2019 by Kathy

10 Things to Shop for at an Antique Mall or Flea Market

Gathering of Lines Home Design Decor Ideas

I am not going to lie – I love Ikea, Target, Pottery Barn, Home Goods, and Restoration Hardware. I also love old things that had a life before I bought them. My solution is to mix and match items from both worlds. I’m all about picking my favorites from the mass produced/widely available and combining them with one of a kind items from flea markets and antique malls. Here’s my take on the top 10 things to shop for at an antique mall or flea market.

Mirrors

Gathering of Lines Antique mall wood Mirror

When it comes to mirrors, flea markets can have some architectural options. Keep in mind, sanding and staining, or repainting is always an option if the color doesn’t go with your vision.

Gathering of Lines Antique mall white Mirror

Books

Antique books are so beautiful and a stack of your favorites can be the perfect accent to a desk or bedside table. Check out this cover of an old copy of “The Jungle Book” that I found at a flea market. It’d be perfect for my child’s room and it’s only a dollar!

Gathering of lines 10 items to look for at flea markets - books

Old Magazines

These are great because you can frame the cover, or an interesting page inside, and it creates one of a kind artwork

Small Tables

These are great for guest room night stands or to put out when you have extra chairs set up around the holidays. Bonus- they are usually pretty inexpensive.

Wood Structures

Old windows, doors, and frames add great dimension and warmth to home decor.

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas old windows

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas from an antique mall

Cast Iron Beauties

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas trivets

Vases

I bought this vase at an antique mall. While it is definitely not an antique (it says “not dishwasher safe” on the bottom haha), I love the color and that it can be used for candles, flowers, or just on its own. In this picture, I put it on our mantle with some coral that we found on our honeymoon.

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas vases

Fabric

Interesting fabric is fun to find at flea markets. Use them for table runners, table clothes, or to cut up and use as journal covers. Let me know in the comments if you’d like to see some ideas for a DIY Journal cover!

Vessels

I use this little guy for my hair ties and keep him on my closet shelf. They are great for post-it notes on your desk, or for keys on a table by the garage door.

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas vessels to store frequently used items

Dishes

Dinner plates can be hung on the wall as artwork. Water pitchers make beautiful vases, or to, you know, serve water haha.

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas water pitcher

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas use antique plates as artwork

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines! What did you find on your latest flea market shopping trip? What should I add to my list the next time I go shopping? Let me know your ideas in the comments below!

Posted on June 4, 2019 by Kathy

Travel: Toledo Botanical Gardens

Home decor and travel go hand in hand. What better photographs and accessories to use in your home than ones that remind you of a great trip with your friends and family?

Black and white peony photograph Gathering of Lines travel and artwork — Black and white peony – Gathering of Lines

You don’t have to buy a plane ticket to have a travel experience or create great art.

Pink peony photograph Gathering of Lines travel and artwork — Pink Peony – Toledo Botanical Gardens. Gathering of Lines Travel and Home Design

This past weekend, my family and I took a little stroll around the Toledo Botanical Gardens.

Purple flower photograph Gathering of Lines travel and artwork — Purple flower – Gathering of Lines

Here are some of my tips for taking a great photograph that you can use as artwork in your home:

Zoom in. This is especially great with nature, the purple flower above looks like a watercolor painting rather than a photograph.
Use the black and white setting on your phone. This can add a romance to your photograph and also helps cover up some imperfections (for example a petal that may be brown/decaying or to mask a red sunburn on your face).
Take pictures of flowers or trees that have a double meaning. Did you carry peonies at your wedding? Did your beloved Grandma always love violets? Does your Aunt Rose always give you a laugh? These double meanings will make you smile every time you pass the picture in the hallway.
Make sure interesting parts of the photograph intersect with the edges of the frame. For example – if you’re taking a photograph of a tree, make sure the tree trunk and branches lead your eye around to all four sides of the photograph. This is pleasing to the eye and helps your eye to move around the composition.

Tree and sky photograph gathering of lines travel — Make sure interesting parts of the photograph intersect with 3 or 4 sides of the frame.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines! Do you want to see more tips for photography and creating your own art? Let me know in the comments below and tag me on Instagram – I’d love to see your pics!

Posted on May 30, 2019May 30, 2019 by Kathy

How to Pick a Paint Color

Picking a paint color, Gathering of lines home design

Pick your favorite neutral. For most people, this means gray, beige, or white. But take a look at the lightest two colors on paint swatches and see if one of those colors speaks to you.
In the neutral rooms, have fun with colorful accents – colorful art, curtains, bedding, rugs, towels, etc are an inexpensive way to have fun in a room (and they’re easy to change).

How to pick a paint color, select your favorite neutral — Neutral color is Sherwin Williams Popular Gray SW6071.
Trim/Molding is Sherwin-Williams Snowbound

Pick one or two brilliant colors for 2 rooms in your house. For example, keep the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms neutral but paint the dining room a darker color. Note – in these boldly painted areas keep the other color accents simple – white bedding, white curtains, black dresser, etc.

How to pick a paint color - choose one room for a brilliant, bold color. — Pick a bold, brilliant, color for one or two rooms in your house. Paint in this picture is Sherwin Williams: In the Navy SW 9178

Test the paint before you buy it. Paint a small area of the wall and look at it throughout the day as the light changes. This is great for your neutrals because you’ll be able to see them side by side and notice which one may look too brown or too gray. Note – be careful testing darker colors. If you’re testing a darker color, sometimes it’s hard to cover this test area if you decide on a lighter color later.
Use paint to make the room’s features stand out. For example, use a different paint color on a fireplace wall to make it stand out without having to pay for extra tile or molding. This is also fun for little nooks or walls with ornate windows.

How to pick a paint color - use to highlight fireplaces — Use paint to make a fireplace feature stand out. Blue color is Sherwin Williams: Watery SW6478. Neutral is Sherwin Williams: Popular Gray SW6071

Select the right type of paint sheen
- Gloss – easy to clean/wipe down but has a shine (great for children’s rooms/kitchens)
- Semi-gloss – easy to clean but offers less shine and may be more visually pleasing (great for living rooms)
- Flat/Matte – great for imperfect walls but shows dirt and doesn’t clean well (Great for older homes/apartments where the walls aren’t perfect)
- Eggshell – cleans well, masks flaws and is durable. (Popular sheen and is great in most rooms)
If you’re in a rental, have fun with an accent wall. Check your renter’s policy but most facilities are happy to let you paint one wall in your apartment as long as you paint it back to white when you move out.

How to pick a paint color, use artwork and colorful accents — Use artwork to add color to neutral walls.

Thank you for visiting Gathering of Lines Home Design! What’s your favorite paint color? Let me know in the comments below and share your room colors with me on Facebook and Instagram!

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Kathy

Colorful Dishes

I love a great white dish set. Ikea does a great white dinner set for only 19.99.

Target also does a great 12 piece white set.

https://www.target.com/p/12pc-avesta-stoneware-dinnerware-set-white-project-62-153/-/A-53133560

The best thing about these white dish sets is that you can utilize them for any season/holiday and really have some fun. I like to mix a white dinner plate with a colorful patterned soup bowl on a bright placemat and end up with a beautiful spring/summer setting. (Yellow bowl can be found here, the blue plate can be found here both are microwave and dishwasher safe – music to my ears).

Gathering of Lines dinner plate ideas — Table setting mixing plain white plates with colorful dishes

The white sets are inexpensive and easy to replace while the colorful accents are fun to search for. Buy a set of 4 salad plates at an antique mall or pull out your great-grandmother’s china salad plates. Find some bright red bowls at a garage sale and mix those in with your white plates. The possibilities are endless.

At times, you may see some gray marks appear on these inexpensive dish sets. Just use equal parts water and baking soda and it will come right up.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines – do you want to see more posts with table setting ideas? What do you do to add some fun to your table? Let me know in the comments below!